What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties?

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Multiple Choice

What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties?

Explanation:
Chemical properties of an element are determined by its atom—the basic unit that defines the element and carries the electrons responsible for bonding and reactions. An atom is the smallest unit that still belongs to that element; if you break it apart chemically, you lose the element’s characteristic chemistry. A molecule is simply two or more atoms bonded together, and a compound is a substance formed from two or more elements, so they’re not the smallest unit of a single element. An ion is a charged form of an atom, which can alter its reactivity compared to the neutral atom. Therefore, the atom is the smallest unit that retains the element’s chemical properties.

Chemical properties of an element are determined by its atom—the basic unit that defines the element and carries the electrons responsible for bonding and reactions. An atom is the smallest unit that still belongs to that element; if you break it apart chemically, you lose the element’s characteristic chemistry. A molecule is simply two or more atoms bonded together, and a compound is a substance formed from two or more elements, so they’re not the smallest unit of a single element. An ion is a charged form of an atom, which can alter its reactivity compared to the neutral atom. Therefore, the atom is the smallest unit that retains the element’s chemical properties.

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